Core Governance Lead

Vacancy Announcement

Position: Core Governance Lead

Number of Positions: 1

Programme: Samartha: Enhancing Gender and Human Development Outcomes through Systems Strengthening 

Location: Kathmandu (with frequent travel to Madhesh and Lumbini province and) 

Type: Full-time 

Line Manager: Team Leader, with reporting to Samartha Programme Management Unit (PMU) 

Start Date: 11 August 2025 (subject to funding approval from the donor) 

End Date: 31 March 2026

ORGANISATION PROFILE 

Adam Smith International (ASI) is a global advisory firm that works with governments, international development partners, and the private sector to deliver long-term, transformative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Operating across more than 30 countries, ASI specialises in governance, economic reform, climate resilience and inclusive development - applying rigorous analysis, technical expertise, and locally led strategies to achieve sustainable impact. 

PROGRAMME BACKGROUND 

Samartha: Enhancing Gender and Human Development Outcomes through Systems Strengthening is a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded programme implemented by Adam Smith International. The programme works in close partnership with the Government of Nepal and aims to enhance the capacity of provincial and local governments to deliver social sector services. 

This programme will focus on improving the systems and capacity of local government to deliver its social service mandates with a specific focus on improving access to quality health and education services, especially by women, girls and marginalised communities. This will be complemented with national policy support in the Health and Education sectors to ensure sector policies and resource allocations align to support Nepal in building responsive and resilient Health and Education service delivery systems. Through systems strengthening, Samartha aims to enable more equitable, accountable, and inclusive development outcomes. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Core Governance Lead (CGL) will offer lead the governance aspects such as evidence-based planning, budgeting, human resource, procurement, transparency and accountability etc. for social sectors (health, education and resilience). S/he will work to strengthen the capacities of subnational governments in social sector governance, while providing strategic support to the federal government on key social sector governance challenges and opportunities. The role will focus on providing technical and strategic guidance to foster inclusive, equitable, and evidence-based governance, while ensuring government ownership and accountability. 

The CGL will closely with British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK), Samartha’s Team Leader, Samartha’s provincial and cluster teams in Madhesh and Lumbini, , Health Systems Lead, Education Systems Lead, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) lead, Innovation, Evidence and Learning (IEL) Lead and other members in Samartha’s federal team. The CGL will also maintain close relationships with and provide technical assistance to relevant federal ministries such as Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCSC), etc. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

Technical Support and Governance System Strengthening (40%) 

• Lead and design implementation of governance strengthening strategies across health and education sectors.
• Lead the political economy analysis at all three government tiers as relevant to identify entry points for support and support modality in basic service delivery
• Support subnational governments in evidence-based planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring across health and education sectors
• Provide technical assistance on public financial management, HR systems, and procurement aligned with sectoral priorities (for example provincial management of health sector HR, capacity building of local level social sector frontline workers, utilisation of conditional and equalisation grants etc.)
• Facilitate integration of GEDSI principles into social sector governance frameworks (for example OCMC linkages, disability education, respectful care etc.)
• Lead integration of disaster management, service continuity in subnational governments’ planning and budgeting
• Provide technical backstopping to the provincial and cluster teams on social sector governance systems strengthening

Stakeholder Engagement (40%) 

• Coordinate with sectoral ministries, development partners and civil society to ensure alignment, synergy and partnership in social sector governance as detailed in Samartha’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Communications and Policy Influencing Strategy.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms and working groups to promote inclusive social sector governance dialogue
• Support local level governments in integrating participatory planning and citizen engagement processes across social sectors

Evidence Use, Innovation and Learning, and Adaptive Management (20%) 

• Promote the use of data and diagnostics (e.g., HMIS, EMIS) for decision-making and adaptive planning within the programme as well as within government
• Lead learning reviews and synthesise lessons to inform programme adaptation and policy influence
• Support piloting and scale-up of innovative governance tools and practices, including digital solutions for data use
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, policy briefs, and technical guidance
• Provide inputs to programme reporting, innovation and learning cycle with evidence generation to support programme adaptations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

Education and Professional Background 

• A Master’s degree in public policy, governance, public health, education, or related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in social sector governance with a clear understanding of Nepal’s governance systems strengthening. 
• Demonstrated experience working with subnational governments on service delivery, planning and budgeting processes or institutional capacity development. 
• Experience with donor funded programmes, especially FCDO, is preferred. 
• Proven experience working with government systems in Nepal, especially subnational government systems.

Skills and Competencies 

• Understanding of working, management, operations of health and education service delivery, from subnational to federal level
• Strong understanding of government data systems, preferably in health and education 
• Strong understanding of GEDSI, resilience, and inclusive governance principles.
• Demonstrated skills in stakeholder coordination, government engagement and technical support for systems strengthening  
• Ability to facilitate participatory planning processes and communicate technical content effectively to non-technical audiences, including community actors. 
• Excellent communication, analytical, and report writing skills in both Nepali and English language

Other Requirements 

• Willingness to travel frequently to Madhesh and Lumbini province and across rural/ municipalities. 
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic, collaborative settings, and to adapt strategies based on real-time feedback and contextual learning. 
• Ability to work independently in complex and evolving political and institutional environments. 
• Strong personal commitment to gender equality, social inclusion and strengthening of systems through evidence-based approaches. 

TERM OF REFERENCE (ToR) 

A detailed Terms of Reference outlining the scope of work, responsibilities, and expected deliverables will be shared with shortlisted candidates during the recruitment process. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter to asi.nepal@adamsmithinternational.com by 31 July 2025. Please include “Core Governance Lead” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps. 

Note: Women, candidates from marginalised communities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.